See? Now I can...

Share freely that is...

without fear!

Oh, this is going to be good!

(If you are looking for the post on the reasons for the privacy of this blog, check under this post.)

Meet one of our favorites at Kolfe...

Gashaw

I met him my first trip, (Aug of 2010) and fell in love with this sweet, sweet boy.

He is deaf, in an orphanage with only 3 deaf kids.

Gashaw is an underdog, an outcast of sorts...

always just on the edge of friendships.

To be his friend takes work.

I get this kid.  I too often feel like an outcast,

I don't "fit in" anymore in my surroundings.

(and I thank God for that!)

Very few people want to sit and talk for hours of

orphans, sponsor children, Africa...

I'm on the edge of friendships, just like Gashaw, always looking in.

Maybe I have always been that way, maybe because I was an only child... and now, as an adult, it is only worse, with this God given passion, that just doesn't fit comfortably into this American life I live. 

I know that to know me, isn't always to love me,

and I take a work to stick with.

That is why, I love, love, love this young man!

Smiling, in the midst of a downpour!

Hook, line and sinker,

I get this kid.

When we got back from the trip in August, John said he had a soft spot for Gashaw too.

Oh, how I wish you could meet him.... his smile is amazing, and for those who work to speak his language... aw... the rewards are huge.

--------------

Trip #3...  August.

John and I had been working with the older boys to hand out the clothing we had brought.  We didn't have enough for all 250+ kids, but we did our best, based on what the boys determined were the most needy.  But we missed one.

Later that afternoon, Gashaw came up to John and I and signed, asking us if we had a shirt for him.

 WE DIDN'T... we had nothing, and there was no time to go shopping.  "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry, it's fine." Gashaw said to us, with his huge smile, but our hearts literally broke in two.  Why hadn't we thought of him, and held one back?  Of course he wouldn't be hanging around waiting for a hand out, or have his photo taken... Gashaw is never around for that... he doesn't fit like that.

Ethiopian Finger Sign different in so many ways from our ASL.

So we went home, with the resolve to get him a shirt ASAP.  To bring that sweet smile to his face and let him know he is loved and prayed for.

(Now, I know, you are reading this, thinking there will be some big announcement... like, we have another Kolfe Son, or we are paper adopting him...  We were open to both of those, and had even done some checking... but God has better plans for Gashaw that don't include us...)

This is what Emnatu sent us a few months later...

We sent him 2 shirts, a letter, and candy & snacks galore.

A few months ago, I saw this photo on fb... and I knew...  it had significance.  Gashaw doesn't get his photo taken often, especially paired with another boy such as this. (who is being adopted)  ♥ Gashaw is in the process of moving to America. ♥  The boys tell me he is being paper adopted, and will be leaving soon, if not already.  Our hearts are so full of joy for him.  I hope he is there a few more days, and I can squeeze the life out of him one more time!

There are people all around us, that for whatever reason, are a bit different than us. Don't assume that means they don't have something very precious to bring to a friendship. This kid rocks... he is amazing. But you have to give a little to figure it out.